Improvement in stamp-holders



H. v. DEM'PSTER.

Stamp-Holder.

Patented Aug. 2Q, 1872175.

PBA.

l2 @fw 7 t Nrrun STATES'.

"PATENT Grrrcn HIRAM V. DEMPSTER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO HABBIET N. MORRISON, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN STAMP-HOLDERS.-

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 130,783, dated August 20, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HIRAM V. DEMPSTER, ofthe city of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Stamp-Holder 5 and I do hereby declare that the following, taken in connection with the drawing forming -part of this specication, is such a full, clear, and exact description thereof, as will enable others to make and use the same.

My invention has for its object to provide a compact receptacle for stamps, paper, Ste., in which such articles may be effectually protected from damage from dampness or other causes, and from which they can be easily and speedily removed when required; and it consists in a novelarrangement of` a hollow case, formed into chambers, having slits, through which the stamps, &c., are removed, covered and closed by an automatic springcover.

Referring to the drawing, Figure l is a front view of the holder, the slits (shown in dotted lines) being covered, and the springcover in its normal position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of Fig. 1. Fig.- 3 is a crosssection of Fig. 2 on line ac .'c. Fig. 4 is a front view of half' of the holder, the springcover being pushed back, and Fig. 5 is a view of an end cap. t

A A is a hollow case of any suitable material, open at the ends, and divided into chambers A Al by the partitions c c', extending vertically across the case near the center of its length. A small chamber is also formed between the partitions c e', for use as hereafter described. rEhe ends of the case are closed by caps G C, which have rims b extending down upon the outside of the case A, when placed in position, and also having a Vplug or piston, c, ,tting the interior of the case, these pistons a serving to strengthen the case and prevent it from being crushedin. Each chamber A and Al has a slit, E, extending its full length, the slits of both chambers being in the same longitudinal line. Over these slits works the cover B, whose front edge rests against, and is stopped by, the raised piece' or flange m upon the case A. The ends of this cover B are slightly beveled, and work loosely in correspondingly-beveled shoulders c c on the case, these shoulders confining the ends of the cover B, and preventing any lateral motion of the cover. The cover B is held `forward over'the slits and against the ange m by the spring D, secured at one end to the axis d placed in the chamber formed between the partitions c e.

fastened in any suitable manner to the cover B. Upon the cover B is a projection, g, for

convenience in turning the same. The rearward motion of the cover is limited by a sim-- ilar projection or stop, h, upon the case A, both projections also serving as aids to more securely hold and manipulate the holder when the same is being opened or used.

The operation of the holder is as follows: The stamps, or other paper to be used therewith, being in a continuous slip, are rolled up, a cap being removed and the cover sprung back, so as to uncover a slit, the roll is inserted at the end of the case, the free end of the roll projecting through the `slit a little way. The cap being replaced land the cover released, the contents of the case are safe, and protected from dust, danipness, &c. When a stamp is required for use the cover is sprung back, disclosing the projecting end of the roll,

which is seized, and a stamp drawn out, and, in addition, the next one is also drawn out until its edge is ush with the flange m,- the cover being then released, springs into place, holds firmly against the ange the edge of the stamps remaining Within the case, and allows the one drawn out to be readily deached.

Although in the drawing the holder is shown as cylindrical, it is evident that it may be made of any desired shape-round, square, oval, polygonal, &c.; hence I do not limit myself to any particular shape or ma-` terial, nor to `any particular size 5 for it is also evident that, While it may be made of a small size, suitable only for lpostage and revenue stamps, it may also be made of any4 size, the size depending upon the use it is intended for, as, for instance, for containing The other end of the spring passes through a slot, fi, in the case A, and is Claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is v The combination with a stamp or paper holder, provided with slits, through which the stamps or paper is Withdrawn, of the cover B, operated and controlled by the spring'D, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

HIRAM V. DEMPSTEP.

Witnesses:

J. A. LoWNDEs, W. BURRIs. 

